Our Curriculum

Our Curriculum

Academic Excellence – Exceptional Character

The Preprimary Program at Creative Learning Academy offers a child-centered learning environment rooted in the Montessori philosophy and rich with materials to help children grow intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Classrooms are divided into six carefully planned areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Science, and Geography. In these areas of study, students work at their own pace through an individualized program ensuring academic success.

Our preschool encourages independence, freedom within limits, and a sense of order. Children learn through sensory-motor activities with materials that develop their cognitive abilities through direct experience. Materials are inviting and thoughtfully arranged on accessible shelves, fostering student independence. In this safe and empowering environment, students find a joy of learning.

The cornerstone of our preschool classroom is a hands-on approach to learning. Through the use of manipulatives, students learn individual skills and concepts. These concrete materials provide the solid base needed to develop and support abstract thought and introduce concepts that become increasingly complex. As children learn independently, they also learn how to live in a community that cares, values and supports one another. The classroom promotes a nurturing and respectful environment in which children feel comfortable to learn independently, to think constructively, and to act creatively.

The core curriculum is supplemented with the additional enhancements of Spanish, art, music, technology, PE, and library. Our goal is to support the growth in every child through individualized learning, creative problem solving, and critical thinking preparing them for Kindergarten and beyond.

For a private tour of our school, please contact our Director of Admissions, at 850.432.1768 or via email.

Areas of Study in the Classroom

Practical Life establishes concentration, coordination, organization, and independence as the children learn simple tasks involved with care of themselves, care of the environment, and care of one another.

Sensorial is designed to refine the senses. Textures, sounds, and tastes are matched. Children also match and grade colors, shapes, and sizes. Sensorial work provides direct preparation for math.

Math contains many materials that enable the children to have a variety of concrete experiences with quantities and associated symbols. They begin with the numbers 1-10 and quickly proceed to 100. The base ten system is introduced as well as basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Language is organized into listening, speaking, writing, and reading. A phonics approach is utilized.

Science covers work in general science, zoology, and botany. Children work with magnets, weather, mammals, and plants. A wide variety of hands-on activities are available.

Geography exposes children to the basic concepts of geography such as air, land, water, and maps. Continents and the cultures of each continent are introduced.

Spanish teaches children vocabulary basics, culture, and geography, along with the music of Mexico.

Technology promotes awareness of computer care, basic terms, basic use of mouse and keyboard, and use of age-appropriate software.

Library develops pre-literacy skills through storytelling, finger play, and related literacy-based projects that support classroom curriculum. Students learn library etiquette, library organization, and character development through reading and checking out books from the library.

Art explores art and esthetics including color, pattern, line and design using 2D and 3D materials. Famous artwork, cultures, and primary colors are also explored. Cross-curriculum applications with homeroom and music help children apply their knowledge.

Music introduces children to musical elements including beat, duration, rhythm patterns, register, melodic patterns, instrumental and vocal tones, style, dynamics, tempo and dance. Students apply concepts learned through multiple performances throughout the year.

Physical Education supports development of gross motor skills and encourages children to cooperate in a safe learning environment.